By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Central Kansas survived its first big snowstorm of the year Monday and Tuesday. Now a different weather-related problem is moving into the area: arctic wind chills. The National Weather Service in Wichita forecasts wind chills as low as minus 13 Thursday night in Great Bend. Low temperatures will struggle to make it to zero degrees, and the forecasted high for Sunday is just three degrees. Barton County Emergency Management Director Sean Kelly said there are ways to minimize the storm's impact.
"Open up cabinet doors underneath to expose pipes to heated air," he said. "A big thing is your pets. Either keep them insulated if they're outside, under shelter. Give them access to fresh water and food that's not frozen, or bring them in."
Allowing water faucets to drip can help prevent freezing and burst pipes. Shutting off rooms that are not utilized will keep warmer air in rooms that are being utilized. Kelly advised against overusing gas stoves and ovens for heating as that can result in carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep space heaters at least three feet from walls or other combustibles, and keep generators at least 20 feet from the home. More dangers lurk outdoors.
"If they have to travel, having an emergency car kit is good: jumper cables, bottled water, a little extra food, blankets," Kelly said. "They need to bundle up in layers. With the morning wind chills as cool as they're going to be, exposed skin needs to be minimized. Wear gloves, mask your face, keep the cool air out of your lungs."
Wind chill is used to describe the rate of heat loss from living objects as a result of low temperature and wind. A wind chill of minus 20 degrees can cause frostbite in just 30 minutes.